Gagne Becomes Scorer

Admirals Down Greensboro 4-3

December 24, 1989|By TERRY ARMOUR Staff Writer

NORFOLK — Don Gagne isn't really known as a finesse hockey player. He's more of a rabble-rouser, a guy who loves contact.

But Gagne provided just the offensive spark the Hampton Roads Admirals needed Saturday night, scoring back-to-back goals in the third period to help the Admirals hold off the Greensboro Monarchs 4-3 in an East Coast Hockey League game at Scope.

Gagne, third on the team in penalty minutes with 60 going into the game, decided it might be better to hold off on the rough stuff so he could spend more time on the ice.

It took a little persuading by Coach John Brophy in the second period to make Gagne realize that. Brophy pulled Gagne off the ice a few times in that period to let it sink in.

"I was having a bad game and Brophy was sitting me off a bit," said Gagne, who also had two assists. "When I'm having a bad game, I tend to gake bad penalties. And that's not good for the team."

Gagne remained cool, even when being harassed by Greensboro forward Doug Lawrence. Gagne even had words with Lawrence and his teammates as both teams skated off the ice after warmups.

"That started in Greensboro because I was on his case," Gagne said. "But coach talked to me after the second period and got me together. I cooled down."

Then he heated up offensively, helping the Admirals stretch a 2-1 advantage to a 4-1 with his two goals. The second, 14:30 into the third period, was hooked in from the center circle after Gagne spun around and faked Lawrence out of his skates.

"When he controls his temper, he's a sparkplug," said Admirals goalie Frank Furlan. "Tonight, with the exception of one penalty, he restrained himself and proved he can play."

Furlan benefitted the most from the goals. During, arguably, his finest game in the nets for the Admirals, Furlan was hit with some bad luck.

Ten seconds after Gagne's second goal, Greensboro's Mike Butters was credited with a goal that richocheted off an Admirals player. Greensboro trailed 4-2.

At the 19:23 mark, Furlan came out of the net and missed Phil Berger's shot when it deflected off a piece of the board surrounding the rink. Hence, the final margin.

"That's the way it goes," Furlan said. "I get no luck. But that was a good game. It's nice to go into Christmas with a win like that."

But Furlan needed no luck in the early going, turning back numerous Greensboro shot attempts. In fact, Furlan was the only player to show signs of life early when the Admirals looked as if they would repeat their lackluster performance against Johnstown Friday.

Furlan, Hampton Roads' backup behind Alain Raymond, had 30 saves.

"Obviously, Frank Furlan played a great game," Brophy said. "He hasn't lost since he came here. But it's tough for the team to get going against a team that doesn't want to play. They just want to stand around and bug people."

Greensboro caused such a commotion, the referees wouldn't let the two teams leave the ice at the same time between periods. The Monarchs were penalized a total of 26 minutes.

"There's a lot of bad blood between us," said Furlan. "They have some players that get under our guys' skin."

NOTE - The league suspended forwards Pat Cavanaugh and Darren Miciak for their part in a postgame fight against Johnstown Friday. Cavanaugh was suspended for two games, Miciak one. ...Defenseman Al Murphy was hit in the chin with stick Saturday and had to leave the game. Team officials said X-rays were negative. Four weeks ago, Murphy returned to the team after suffering a broken jaw.